I was running a CR top loader with the classic 3.31 Jag rear gear. What I liked about that setup.
Better wheel spin control due to the high 1st gear ratio. It was great going through the gears at higher mph speeds. The close ratio has a really nice feeling in the top three gears. Shifting into 4th at speeds ABOVE a 100 mph is pretty cool.
Things I didn't like. The high first gear while good at controlling wheel spin can be pretty hard on a clutch. Several people have noticed/mentioned that their best 1/4 mile ET was achieved using SECOND gear (with a WR, TKO or whatever other trans) but that better ET came with damage to the clutch. One of the basic problems almost ALL Cobras have is to low a 1st gear. Makes for a great tire smoke, difficult to control traction, can be downright dangerous. A "tall" first gear can save the tires and save the car from a potential spin and will certainly provide a better ET. All that at the possible expense of a new clutch if your not careful in how you use it.
Eventually I decided I wanted an overdrive to reduce the noise and rpm's of the engine at cruising speed, so I am running a TKO600 these days. I DO NOT like the MUCH lower 1st gear ratio!!! It's all but worthless trying to get off the line without major wheel spin. My 1/4 mile ET is actually SLOWER with the TKO because wheel spin is much harder to control. The car is certainly more prone to an unexpected spin out because the tires break loose SO easily! I like the lower gear ratio's (1st, 2nd) for around town, parades and slow speed driving though, but have to be much more careful than before.
With the CR I would NEVER do a parade and was always concerned about getting stuck in slow moving traffic. That 1st gear was just to high to creeping traffic.
If I had to pick between the two top loaders today, I think I would go with the WR. A taller 1st gear than the TKO's or T5's, shorter than the CR. Best overall gearing does not seem to be available. Which would be, a WR top loader gear ratio WITH a .8 overdrive.
...guess I'll have to design my own trans!
